Gen. Santos City, the country’s tuna capital, will unveil its artistic side as it celebrates the multi-awarded Kalilangan Festival as part of its Diamond Jubilee Foundation

A collaboration of the City Government and the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Gen. Santos City Campus, the two-week festivity festival bears the theme GenSan @75: Living the Culture.

Derived from the word “kalilang,” which means celebration in the Maguindanaoan language, the fest is a social gathering marked by the exchange of amenities among ethnic leaders, elders and townsfolk.

Mayor Ronnel Rivera said that the festivity will once again bring to the fore the convergence of the lowland Christian population, the Muslim tribes and the indigenous peoples who have made the City their home.

According to MSU chancellor and Kalilangan co-chair Abdurrahman Canacan, the festival recognizes its founding pioneers including its early inhabitants emphasizing their shared histories, cultural heritage, tapestry of traditions, especially their decades old harmonious co-existence.

He noted that significantly, Kalilangan is also celebrating its 25th anniversary as the city’s cultural festival, with the school as the lead organizer.

Formerly known as Buayan district of the Empire Province of Cotabato, the city was established in 1939 as Dadiangas town by Gen. Paulino Santos, administrator of the National Land Settlement Administration, upon the instruction of President Manuel Quezon.

It was later converted into a city on Sept. 5, 1968 and named after Santos.

Major events include the Pakaradjan Tri-People Cultural Day on Feb. 24, and the Kastifun on Feb. 26, which will showcase the rich cultural heritage given of the indigenous peoples’ communities of Gensan, mostly composed of the B’laan and T’boli tribes.

There will also be a display of replicas at the City Oval of the Gumna B’laan, Walay Magindanaon, and the lowlander’s typical abode.

The festival’s highlight is Salubungan Parada ng Lahi: Kadena de Amor, Feb. 27, which reenacts the arrival of Gen. Santos; and the Kadsagayan or street dance showdown which will display the dances of the city’s tri-people. It culminates with the Tagbuan sa Kasadyahan in the evening.

Adding spice to the celebration is a variety of sporting, entertainment, musical, socio-civic and community-oriented events.

Kalilangan Festival is a Hall of Famer in the Best Tourism Event (Culture and Arts Category, City Level) of the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines,  having won top honors for three straight years.

Visit www.gensanexchange.com/kalilanga or Kalilangan Fest on Facebook.